Sub-species temperament

[RedSidedSPR]

I want him!!!!!!

[kibakiba]

Just like Snap. She took the skin off my foot yesterday when I accidentally dropped her when she struck at my face. You can tell she really appreciates that I give her treats more frequently than the others.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, definitely.

If I had the choice between a really tame snake, and a really mean one.... I don't know which I'd choose.

[kibakiba]

I prefer tame snakes, just because I like to spend time with my snakes, not spend time treating my wounds.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah I wouldn't want ONLY pissy ones, I like tame ones just as much. But one or two is just awesome.

[Venti]

My red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) is very tame, a bit nervous or tense when you put your hand in their to pick him up, but maybe because he is expecting food?

[RedSidedSPR]

That's exactly like my adult red sided is... Tame, but jumpy..

[infernalis]

Yeah I wouldn't want ONLY pissy ones, I like tame ones just as much. But one or two is just awesome.

Excellent point. I like them all, but I am fond of attitudes.

[ssssnakeluvr]

the difference goes by each snakes own personality... no difference between species and subspecies... I do like one with attitude here and there... get them mad and they strike out...can get them to start taking pinkies that way sometimes.. =)

[Didymus20X6]

Here's a question about that video:

I notice that the snake seems to be dry-striking (i.e., not actually biting). I presume that because I didn't see any blood. But that's just because I didn't SEE any blood.

Whenever I've been struck by garters in the past, it was always while wearing protective gear (thick gloves or boots), and so I've never been bitten.

Well, yesterday, Scarlett struck my hand, and although it startled me, I wasn't bitten.

My question is, is dry-striking typical among garters? Is it primarily aggressive or defensive behavior, whereas biting more of a feeding behavior?